WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi scored four goals and set up another as Inter Miami eased to a 7-1 home MLS win over Montreal on Saturday.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro opened the scoring by heading in from a corner but Fabian Herbers equalized with a drive into the bottom-left corner.
Miami took lead when Messi's delivery from a free kick left Chilean goalkeeper Thomas Gillier beaten at his near post.
Messi extended Miami's lead by skipping past three defenders and slotting a shot into the far corner.
Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi then released Luis Suarez with a one-touch pass and the Uruguayan striker finished clinically past Thomas Gillier.
Messi clinched his hat-trick by capitalizing on a turnover and chipping an effort past the onrushing Gillier.
Alexander Shaw's long-range drive made it 6-1 and Messi completed the rout as he curled a free-kick into the top-right corner.
It was Inter Miami's first MLS win since July and left the Florida outfit second in the Eastern Conference with 42 points, 10 behind leader Nashville. ■
